Douglas William Stowers

Douglas William Stowers age 77 of Rocky Gap, VA died Tuesday May 9, 2023 at his residence on Clearfork Creek Road, where he lived his entire life. Born August 22, 1945 in Rocky Gap, VA, he was a son of the late Grat Johnson Stowers and Ruth Jones Stowers. After Doug graduated from Rocky Gap High School, he volunteered to join the Marine Corps to fight in Vietnam, but was rejected twice due to a pin in his wrist. He still did his part for the war effort by working at the Radford Arsenal loading bombs and bullets for three years. He then went on to work on major projects such as the Big Walker and East River Mountain Tunnels. Doug was a mostly self-employed jack of all trades, working tirelessly in all kinds of weather, and never taking a day off. He demanded perfection from himself and others, and never rested until the job was done, and done right. He got very good at many things over his lifetime: roofing, plumbing, electrical, logging, landscaping, woodworking, farming (crops and livestock), fence building, concrete work, building construction and more. He could do many jobs by himself that would normally require two or more people – he would just need some time to sit down and figure out how – but he would get it done. Friends have said, “I’ve never seen a man work as hard as he did”, and “He worked like a horse every day of his life”. And “That man worked as hard as two men.” But my favorite quote of all is, “They’re not making Dougs anymore”. And that’s too bad – we need more men like him. He was a son, father, brother, loyal husband and grandfather who worked hard and loved his family. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and loved raising cattle. In his later years, he really enjoyed spending the evenings on his front porch watching the cows and calves come down to graze near his land, usually while enjoying watermelon. If Dad told you something, you believed it – take it to the bank because it’s as good as money. He was a serious, thoughtful man, but one who could always crack a joke with his dry country humor. Doug always kept his word and fulfilled his responsibilities to his job, friends and family. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Brenda Carolyn Collier Stowers; sister Virginia Rose Stowers; and brothers Harry and Ralph Stowers. Left to cherish his memory are his two children, Emily Stowers Danner of Moreno Valley, CA and Colby Stowers of Okinawa Japan; grandchildren Lucas and Laura Danner both of Moreno Valley, CA and Kendrick and William Stowers both of Okinawa Japan. In accordance with his wishes, Mr. Stowers will be cremated. Services and internment will be private.

Douglas William Stowers

August 22, 1945 - May 9, 2023